Indigenous Education - Resources for TSTN Members
Introduction
‘Indigenous peoples’ is a collective name for the original peoples of North America and their descendants. The Canadian Constitution recognizes three groups of Indigenous peoples: First Nations, Inuit and Métis. These are three distinct peoples with unique histories, languages, cultural practices and spiritual beliefs. More than 1.67 million people in Canada identify themselves as an Indigenous person, according to the 2016 Census.
Did you know?
First Nations - There are more than 630 First Nation communities in Canada, which represent more than 50 Nations and 50 Indigenous languages. First Nations culture is rooted in storytelling and they pass on knowledge from generation to generation through their Oral Traditions in order to teach their beliefs, history, values, practices, customs, rituals, relationships, and ways of life. Learn more about First Nations here.
Inuit - Inuit are Indigenous people of the Arctic. The word Inuit means “the people” in the Inuit language of Inuktuk. The singular of Inuit is Inuk. Inuit peoples live and thrive in Inuit Nunangat, their homeland encompassing 36% of Canada’s landmass and 50% of its coastline. Learn more about the Inuit here.
Métis - The Métis emerged as a distinct Indigenous people and nation in the historic Northwest during the late 18th century. The historic Métis Nation Homeland encompasses the Prairie Provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta and extends into contiguous parts of Ontario, British Columbia, the Northwest Territories and the northern United States. Learn more about the Métis here.
How to Support Indigenous Communities in Canada ⓘ
In the wake of recent news regarding Residential Schools, there has been renewed attention on the ongoing struggle of Indigenous peoples in Canada. It is important to remember that the fight for Indigenous rights is far-reaching and goes well beyond the scope of residential schools. In particular, the struggle for sovereignty and human rights in Indigenous communities has proven to be a long-term and complex issue that struggles to gain recognition from the wider population.
What is the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada?
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) provided those directly or indirectly affected by the legacy of the Residential Schools system with an opportunity to share their stories and experiences.
The Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, the largest class-action settlement in Canadian history, began to be implemented in 2007. One of the elements of the agreement was the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada to facilitate reconciliation among former students, their families, their communities and all Canadians. Read more about TRC here.
Below is a collection of resources and links we hope that you will find engaging and informative. Please continue to check this page for updates and feel free to get in touch with us at tstn@tdsb.on.ca if you have any comments, questions, or recommendations.
HOLD for piece from Indigenous Education Centre
Our sincere thanks to the Human Rights Office for partnering with TSTN on this initiative - especially Ros Salvador, Gilary Massa Machado, Christopher Williams, Precious Sidambe & Irit Kelman.
Residential Schools
The term ‘residential schools’ refers to an extensive school system set up by the Canadian government and administered by churches that had the nominal objective of education Indigenous children but also the more damaging and equally explicit objectives of indoctrinating them into Euro-Canadian and Christian way of living and assimilating them into mainstream white Canadian society. The residential school system official operated from the 1880s into the closing decades of the 20th century.¹
Watch - Shi-shi-etko (2009) Directed by Kate Kroll (6:05)
Four days before having the leave her family and home for residential school, Shi-Shi-Etko learns how important it is to hold on to her memories. Adapted from the book by Nicola Campbell.
Watch - Historica Canada (2020) - Residential School in Canada: A Timeline (5:39)
The history of residential schools in Canada can be traced as far back as the 17th century. Watch the “Residential Schools in Canada Timeline” video to learn about significant dates in its history.
This is a selection, not an exhaustive list, of books recommended by CBC² on the topic of Residential Schools in Canada written by Indigenous authors. Links below are to the TDSB Professional Library (where applicable) and Toronto Public Library.
LEARN: Online Learning Resources
Expected Practices for Understanding, Addressing and Preventing Discrimination - Brochure (TDSBweb)
Human Rights Office - Contact Information (TDSBweb)
Percipio
Percipio provides TDSB staff with flexible learning opportunities to continually gain new skills and knowledge. The links below will navigate you to https://tdsb.percipio.com - if logged into a TDSB computer, you are automatically connected. If at home or on a non-TDSB computer, you will have to login with your TDSB email address.
Expert Insights on Unconscious Bias -Dealing with unconscious bias, gender bias, microaggressions (20m, 53s)
Expert Insights on Diversity & Inclusion - The importance of diversity, how inclusive leaders create workplace diversity (1hr, 30m)
Leadercamp: Leading Inclusively - In the wake of a global pandemic and tragic events leading to widespread civil unrest, organizations of all sizes need bold leaders at every level. Are you ready to eliminate racism, discrimination, and bias in the workplace?
External Links
How to Be a Better Ally to Your Black Colleagues - Harvard Business Review (July 8, 2020)
Racial Equity Tools Glossary - Language is important. This glossary provides basic definitions for many of the terms you’ll come across.
LISTEN: Informative Podcasts to Learn About Race
Code Switch
Launched in 2016, this weekly show from National Public Radio (NPR) is a pioneer of the podcast platform and features a revolving door or journalists of colour sharing their thoughts on race from every angle. Whether it’s through a pop culture, historical, or political lens, race is the cornerstone of all conversations.
The New York Times’ 1619
Spearheaded by The New York Times reporter and Pulitzer Prize winner, Nikole Hannah-Jones, this New York Times-produced audio series digs deep into America’s ugly history: chattel slavery. Marking the 400th anniversary of the first slaves brought to Virginia, this 2019 project connects the past to the present through captivating storytelling and vivid depictions beginning with the arrival of slave ships on U.S. shores.
Yo, Is This Racist?
Every Wednesday, listeners can get a dose of reality with a side of humour from this popular blog turned podcast. Hosted by writer Andrew Ti and actress Tawny Newsome, the show centers around listener-submitted questions about whether or not their statements or actions constitute being racist. Newsflash: If you have to ask, then it probably is. The unique series manages to answer these racially sensitive inquiries with bluntness and unmatched wit. Listen and learn.
STREAM: Movies & Documentaries About Race - Start the Conversation
Below are a few recommended films about racism and the civil rights movement. If you don’t already seek out films by Black creators, there’s no time like the present moment. In a time when many of us are looking for ways to combat racism in our society, diversifying our entertainment diet is one small, but meaningful step. Links are provided to streaming services where available, but all movies are available to rent through Google, Amazon, or the Toronto Public Library.
13th
By shining a light on the prison system, this Emmy Award-winning documentary by Ava DuVernay reveals the connections between mass incarceration and racial inequality in the U.S. If you’ve never given the connections between slavery and prisons much thought, this stunning documentary will open your eyes.
I Am Not Your Negro
James Baldwin passed away before he had a chance to finish Remember This House, a manuscript that examined race in America through his memories of Malcolm X, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Medgar Evers. This powerful film, narrated by Samuel L. Jackson, finishes the story.
The Hate U Give
Based on the bestselling YA novel by Angie Thomas, this movie follows Starr’s journey into activism after she witnesses her best friend Khalil’s death at the hands of police. Starr is straddling two worlds, as a student at a prep school who lives in an underprivileged neighbourhood. It’s a powerful film that’s sadly timely today.
Fruitvale Station
In a heavy but necessary film, Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan tell the true story of Oscar Grant, killed by police on the BART subway system. He’s a son, a father, and a partner to his girlfriend, and his story deserves to be told.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Adapted from Rebecca Skloot’s best-selling nonfiction book of the same name, this movie tells the story of Henrietta Lacks, whose cancerous cells that were illegally harvested in 1951 have led to profound breakthroughs in medicine. Told through the lens of her daughter Deborah Lacks (Oprah Winfrey), the drama highlights the history of racial discrimination in the medical field and its grave impacts on people of colour, especially Black patients.
When They See Us
Spanning a quarter of a century, When They See Us is a four-part drama directed by Ava DuVernay, which recounts the true stories of Kevin Richardson, Antron McCray, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana, and Korey Wise, the five men known as the Central Park Five who were wrongfully convicted of rape and spent between five and 12 years behind bars. It’s a must-watch for understanding the gravity of wrongful conviction and the grave impact of coercive interrogations.